Red Sox reach deal with C Ross

Boston, MA (Sports Network) - The Boston Red Sox began what's expected to be
an extensive offseason overhaul by agreeing to a two-year contract with free-
agent catcher David Ross on Saturday.

The deal, which FoxSports.com reported is worth $6.2 million, will become
official once Ross passes a physical.

Regarded as one of the top backup catchers in baseball, Ross re-joins the Red
Sox after spending the past four seasons with Atlanta and batted .256 with
nine homers and 23 RBI in 62 games for the Braves last year. The 35-year-old
played in eight games for Boston during the 2008 campaign after being released
by Cincinnati in August of that season.

Ross owns a career .238 average with 84 homers and 248 RBI over 11 major
league seasons. He broke into the big leagues with the Los Angeles Dodgers in
2002 and has also played for Pittsburgh and San Diego in addition to the Reds,
Red Sox and Braves.

The right-handed hitter could be used in a platoon role with switch-hitting
returnee Jarrod Saltalamacchia, who batted just .170 with one homer against
left-handed pitching in 2012.

Ross' signing is the second notable move made by a Boston team coming off a
93-loss season, the franchise's most defeats since 1965. The Red Sox brought
back All-Star designated hitter David Ortiz on a two-year contract.